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Right, having taken inspiration from the wonderful @SteveHowell30 I'm going to attempt to write a thread, in relation to the @APPGexclusionAP research work on accountability measures in PRUs and AP. Hope this works!! #apworks #accountability #leaguetables #loveap @prusapuk
The idea of setting up a performance framework for AP has been discussed within the sector for many years. Many settings have devised their own accountability measures, normally based around the areas of outcomes, progress, attendance, behaviour, reintegration, destinations
However, this has not translated into a national accountability framework, mainly due to the complexity of these institutions and their very specific local contexts.
On the face of it, a national accountability framework seems like a good idea. PRU and AP providers could be compared against each other across different locations and it would be good to be able to demonstrate where there were areas of strength and perceived weakness.
PRUs and AP could be ranked in a league table which would clearly show where these strengths and weaknesses are. Those at the top could share outstanding practice and support and develop the provisions who needed it most. Sounds good right? Well herein lies the problem
Even when you take into account local contextual factors and allow for these in any data set produced, the issues of comparison are still extremely difficult.
The reality is that the system, as it currently stands, does not allow for any meaningful comparison.
The reality is that the system, as it currently stands, does not allow for any meaningful comparison.
For any data to have any statistical merit there would have to be wholesale system change in the function of PRUs and AP. The sector would need to have national agreed aims as to what the function of AP is.
Furthermore, the position of PRUs and AP in the educational sphere would need to be reviewed and re-positioned so that they are valued and understood by all.
Currently, there are many aims, and these are more often than not based around the CHILD. Personalised pathways allow for students to be re-integrated, receive therapeutic support, improve their behaviour and attendance, take terminal exams and move onto post-16 destinations
To complicate things further the transient nature of the sector, with hundreds of students coming in and out of our settings every week, makes attempting to capture national outcomes more troublesome. Personalisation ensures that progress and accountability remains very localised
Success for one student in a PRU / AP can look very different for another student. Reducing this success to a group of numbers, statistics and rank orders could be a potentially very dangerous move and would risk alienating some of the incredible practice that we see every day
Furthermore, differences in funding of PRUs and AP are stark across the UK. Many providers cannot afford to employ sufficient numbers of qualified teachers and must rely on being extremely creative to staff their curriculum.
We have long been the forgotten sector and until the disparity in funding is addressed, differences in quality of provision remain. That is not to say we shouldn’t be talking about this topic. Improving the overall quality of PRU and AP provision is essential
Ranking PRUs and AP in a league table does not seem the most appropriate way to go about achieving these aims. Even with contextual information, we risk reducing everything we do in the sector to a number. However, there are better ways....
The APPG for School Exclusions and Alternative provision has asked for feedback on some other suggested methods of accountability. The idea of an AP Quality Kitemark and an AP Benchmark toolkit have been suggested.....
This idea seems to have real merit. Rich case studies, not comparing AP but giving access to accredited, standards in AP. A focus on a self-improving system where, along the lines of the Challenge Partner model, PRUs and APs could collaborate formally would also be an idea.
Whichever direction we take with this, the most important factor will be working together as a sector. Raising the profile of PRUs/AP/Special/Hospital Schools is all of our responsibility and we must shout about the success we have as loud as we can. #loveap @APPGexclusionAP
